The diminutive double cup called a kopa derives its unique shape from a species of gourd. Among Yaka and neighboring Suku peoples, a kopa belonged to a family’s atrilineal head uncle, or lemba, and served as a vital symbolic link to a family’s ancestors. Upon is deathbed, the lemba would recount the cup’s succession of owners and pass it on to his nephew successor. When used at drinking rituals, a lemba might select a young child for the privilege of sipping from his cup.